Events
Friday, April 24
Last Impressions: Protecting Your Brand at the Customer’s Doorstep
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
In home furnishings retail, the sale isn’t complete until the furniture is in the customer’s home. White-glove delivery is the final, most personal brand moment—yet it’s often outsourced and under-managed. This session shows why last-mile delivery is a brand-protection strategy, not a cost center. Learn how consistency, trained teams, visibility, and proactive issue management help retailers protect reputation, exceed expectations, and build lasting customer loyalty at the doorstep.
Speakers: Mark Bannon, Shelia Johnson
Cash Flow Is King: Building a Resilient Supply Chain in a Volatile Retail Market
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Healthy cash flow is the foundation of a resilient supply chain—especially for retailers navigating long lead times, large inventory investments, and unpredictable demand. We’ll break down how cash flow constraints quietly weaken supplier relationships, limit buying power, and create stockout risk. Attendees will learn practical strategies to strengthen their supply chain by aligning inventory planning, payment timing, and capital access. The goal: free up working capital, negotiate from a position of strength, and build a supply chain that scales profitably without putting unnecessary strain on the business.
Speakers: John Donovan
Turning Logistics Chaos into Customer Confidence
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Logistics today faces real-world turbulence—delays, damaged deliveries, limited visibility, costly returns, and last-mile breakdowns that erode trust. The retailers who win turn these challenges into a better customer experience. This session shows how to identify friction across the delivery journey, use real-time visibility to prevent surprises, and empower teams to resolve issues fast. Learn practical tactics and templates to reduce costs, increase transparency, and turn delivery into a loyalty driver.
Beyond the Container Rate: Using AI to Optimize Furniture Supply Chains
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
This session explores how AI-driven trade lane health gives furniture importers a clearer view of supply chain costs beyond ocean freight. Learn how improved visibility highlights excess inventory, carrying costs, missed sales, delays, and inefficient loading. See how AI aligns supply with demand, helps sales teams move the right products, balances high- and low-demand shipments, and identifies carrier partners that reduce disruption. The advantage isn’t more data—it’s using it to prevent exceptions and lost opportunities.
Speakers: James Ford-Hutchinson
Pillow Talk
Down Inc. Location: Down Inc., Suites At Market Square, Ground, G-3019 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
From achieving the perfect “chop” in your decorative pillows to understanding the difference between down, down-alternative, and our brand-new TENCEL™ lyocell blend, we’ll cover the fill factors that matter most to designers, retailers, and hospitality buyers alike. Whether you’re here for the performance, the sustainability, or the luxury feel, this quick session is all about helping you elevate your pillow game. Attendees will enjoy complimentary refreshments and receive a free gift as a thanks for joining us! Registration encouraged, but not required.
The Art & ROI of Luxury Textiles
American Leather Location: American Leather, Showplace, Floor 5, 5000 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
What if your most beautiful design choices were also your most profitable? Top designers whose upholstered seating graces residences, resorts, and worldwide publications share how leathers, suedes, performance fabrics, and premium textiles can create lasting character—and lasting client appreciation. Learn how patina and hand become coveted attributes, how luxury performance fabrics deliver peace of mind without sacrificing creativity, how fine fabrics gain richness over time, and how to thoughtfully match textiles with exquisite frame designs. Designers will also gain practical insights into pricing and margin-building strategies. A hands-on materials workshop rounds out the session, allowing attendees to experience these textiles firsthand
From Dock to Destination: Expert Logistics Insights for Retailers
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Delivery expectations are rising while margins are under pressure—and traditional LTL playbooks aren’t enough anymore. This session goes beyond basics to unpack what’s really working right now in furniture logistics. Learn how leading retailers are reducing damage, improving transit times, increasing visibility, and lowering costs across dock-to-door operations. J.B. Hunt experts will share practical strategies, real-world examples, and proven tactics tailored specifically to the unique challenges of home furnishings delivery.
Speakers: Richard Tucker, Josh Delay
The Cost of the Wrong Client And How to Stop Paying It
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
This is a condensed, highly practical session designed for interior designers who feel stretched thin or burnt out from working with the wrong clients. The workshop focuses on the hidden cost of misaligned clients—lost time, creative energy, and revenue—and helps designers get clear on who they work best with and why. During the session, attendees will: Understand the real drain of working with the wrong clients; Learn the benefits (and relief) of saying yes to the right ones; Create their own Ideal Client Criteria; Gain tools to identify alignment early and spot red flags. Learn how to attract better-fit clients without overhauling their brand or marketing Designers will leave with clearer boundaries, more confidence, and practical tools.
Speakers: Ginna Christensen
Authenticating Antiques
Whitehall Antiques Location: Whitehall Antiques, Market Square, Ground, G-54B Shuttle Stop: 29 (Red Line)
Daily explorations of antiques with David Lindquist, internationally recognized authority on furniture and the decorative arts. Each afternoon, join him to explore such topics as spotting furniture restorations, marquetry in the 17th century, how much is too much restoration, Georgian silver, what constitutes a silver standard, and the importance of it. And of course, David invites you to ask questions and explore other topics with him.
Speakers: David Lindquist
Cocktail Party & Happy Hours - Free drinks, Live Music, Heavy Hors d'oeuvres
Bernards Furniture Group Location: Bernards Furniture Group, Atrium on Main, Floor 2, 201 Shuttle Stop: 8 (Green Line)
Come join us for live music, free drinks (including spirits, wine, and beer), and heavy hors d'oeuvres. The event is in the Atrium on the second floor at the top of the stairs. Surrounding showrooms remain open for your relaxed perusal.
Saturday, April 25
State of the Industry: Navigating Supply Chain Chaos
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Join us for a concise seminar tailored for furniture retailers and manufacturers. We’ll cover the current and future states of the ocean and domestic freight markets, how shifting political dynamics and new regulations are impacting global and domestic supply chains, and what it all means for your business. Walk away with practical, actionable strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce disruption, and save both you and your customers significant heartache.
Speakers: Chris Brennan, Mari Bermejo
Style Spotters Hot Spot Tours
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with our guided Hot Spots Tours! Crafted by seasoned Market veterans and 2026 Style Spotters Rhobin DelaCruz and Isabel Ladd, each curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon. Meet at The Point at 9:15 am ahead of a 9:30 am departure.
Speakers: Rhobin DelaCruz, Isabel Ladd
The Profitable Studio Formula: Scale Your Design Practice the Right Way
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Scaling your interior design business is not about doing more; it's about doing differently. In this transformative session, Design Business Coach Melissa Galt reveals the five critical pivots that turn a busy designer into a profitable studio owner, without burnout or sacrifice. You'll learn how to price for profitability, hire strategically, market authentically, discover efficiently, and systematize effectively. This isn't about working harder; it's about building smarter infrastructure that supports the business and life you want. Whether you're preparing for your first hire or restructuring a growing team, this session gives you the clarity and confidence to scale successfully.
Speakers: Melissa Galt
Who Moved My Cheese? What an Old Business Book Can Teach Us About AI
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
AI is no longer coming—it’s already changing how home furnishings retailers buy, sell, market, and operate. Just like the shift to inventory systems decades ago, the rules are moving fast. This session uses the timeless lessons of the business teachings of Who Moved My Cheese? to help retailers understand where AI matters, how to prepare teams for constant change, and when to act quickly versus stay put. Gain clarity, confidence, and practical guidance for leading growth in an AI-driven retail environment.
Speakers: Richard Harris
Adriana Hoyos and Friends Talk Material Matters in Interior Design
ADRIANA HOYOS Location: ADRIANA HOYOS, Hamilton Place, Floor 2, 117 N. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 17 (Red Line)
Materiality takes center stage in today’s client projects. Join Adriana Hoyos and a panel of interior design stars to discover how material selections can influence the form, texture, and even emotions behind the design. Each panelist brings their specific insights and compelling design stories to this lively peer-to-peer discussion that includes an audience Q&A. Guests are invited for tasty bites and refreshments following the event. Sponsored by Adriana Hoyos Furnishings.
Speakers: Adriana Hoyos
Eichholtz New Collection Tour
Eichholtz Location: Eichholtz, 129 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
Immerse yourself in the latest collections from Eichholtz, including The Art of Color and Corey Damen Jenkins for Eichholtz lighting collaboration. Join us at 11 AM or 2 PM Saturday through Monday during High Point Market for an intimate guided tour. Light refreshments will be served.
Small Retailer Advertising Collective: Compete with the market leaders
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
We bring together small retailers to co-invest in high-end TV and digital video campaigns built to outperform big-brand competitors. By joining an advertising collective, you can leverage polished, creative content tailored to your brand to gain an immediate advantage in your market. Linnihan Foy can help lead group formation, strategic planning, and all aspects of production from concept to final edited spots.
Speakers: Erik Lillejord
Hot Spot Tour With Libby Langdon
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with one of our guided Hot Spots Tours! Crafted by seasoned Market Libby Langdon, this curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon. Meet at The Point at 12:45 pm ahead of a 1:00 pm departure.
Speakers: Libby Langdon
CTV Unfiltered: A Paramount VP Reveals What’s Driving Revenue In 2026
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
What if you could see exactly how Paramount is driving measurable sales for furniture retailers using CTV? In this exclusive insider session, a Senior VP from Paramount and Orbit Interactive will reveal what makes Connected TV the fastest growth lever in furniture retail right now. They will pull back the curtain on how top retailers are driving measurable sales, store visits, and 7:1+ ROI using CTV in 2026. Learn the exact strategies behind precise shopper targeting, campaign measurement beyond branding, and market-level execution. Plus, candid breakouts comparing TV vs. CTV and Cable vs. CTV—no fluff, just results.
Speakers: Richard Harris, Paramount Sr. VP
Six Figure Snafus: How to Mitigate Your Most Expensive Challenges
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Even designers at the top of their game can face difficult and costly business situations. So when the unthinkable happens - fraud, embezzlement, breach of contract - what do you do? This session brings those challenges into the open with designers who have weathered these tough situations and addresses what they learned and how you can be better prepared for bumps along the way. Join Designers Today Executive Brand Editor Cindy Hodnett as she talks with designers Kristi Hopper and Dann Foley about adversity and how they gained awareness that makes their business stronger.
Speakers: Kristi Hopper, Dann Foley, Cindy Hodnett
Pillow Talk
Down Inc. Location: Down Inc., Suites At Market Square, Ground, G-3019 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
From achieving the perfect “chop” in your decorative pillows to understanding the difference between down, down-alternative, and our brand-new TENCEL™ lyocell blend, we’ll cover the fill factors that matter most to designers, retailers, and hospitality buyers alike. Whether you’re here for the performance, the sustainability, or the luxury feel, this quick session is all about helping you elevate your pillow game. Attendees will enjoy complimentary refreshments and receive a free gift as a thanks for joining us! Registration encouraged, but not required.
The Art of Selling to the Luxury Client
American Leather Location: American Leather, Showplace, Floor 5, 5000 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
Luxury clients aren’t persuaded—they’re aligned. Converting in today’s affluent marketplace requires intention and strategy well before you refine your consultative selling conversation. A panel of elite designers and luxury consumer professionals explains shifts in consumer sentiments that help you frame important conversations about fine craftsmanship and longevity, intuitive technologies, wellness, and intentional living, while sharing how to communicate value, establish trust, elicit demand, and create lasting success.
Speakers: Gail Doby, Ericka Saurit, Dawn Brinson
The Future of Retail: Connecting Every Customer Touchpoint
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Today’s home furnishings customer engages across multiple platforms, expecting a seamless experience whether they browse online, walk into your showroom, or receive a direct mail piece at home. In this expert-led panel discussion, industry leaders break down what true omnichannel marketing means for furniture and mattress retailers. Learn how to utilize and align all touchpoints across social media, email, and print.
Speakers: Angelo Mazzella
Trend to Transaction: Monetizing What Clients Want Next
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Design trends don’t happen in a vacuum—and they don’t monetize themselves. In this forward-looking seminar, Deb connects the dots between consumer purchasing behavior, emerging design trends, and real-world business opportunities. You’ll gain a clear understanding of why today’s clients buy the way they do, how trends take hold in the design marketplace, and where designers can monetize to capture new revenue. Drawing from current market introductions in product, style, and color, this presentation breaks down what’s driving today’s design decisions, exploring how trends develop, why they matter, and how designers can move beyond simply following them to strategically sell them.
Speakers: Deb Barrett
Authenticating Antiques
Whitehall Antiques Location: Whitehall Antiques, Market Square, Ground, G-54B Shuttle Stop: 29 (Red Line)
Daily explorations of antiques with David Lindquist, internationally recognized authority on furniture and the decorative arts. Each afternoon, join him to explore such topics as spotting furniture restorations, marquetry in the 17th century, how much is too much restoration, Georgian silver, what constitutes a silver standard, and the importance of it. And of course, David invites you to ask questions and explore other topics with him.
Speakers: David Lindquist
Cocktail Party & Happy Hours - Free drinks, Live Music, Heavy Hors d'oeuvres
Bernards Furniture Group Location: Bernards Furniture Group, Atrium on Main, Floor 2, 201 Shuttle Stop: 8 (Green Line)
Come join us for live music, free drinks (including spirits, wine, and beer), and heavy hors d'oeuvres. The event is in the Atrium on the second floor at the top of the stairs. Surrounding showrooms remain open for your relaxed perusal.
Sunday, April 26
The Hidden Profits in Bedding
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Looking for new ways to boost profit margins in bedding? Learn how to effectively sell protection plans with the right pricing, margins, and staff commissions. Discover why customers value these plans, how bundling increases sales, and what top retailers across the US are doing to succeed. Through real-world case studies, see the dollars left on the table when plans aren’t offered, and how to turn that into profit.
Speakers: Dan Miller
Style Spotters Hot Spot Tours
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with our guided Hot Spots Tours! Crafted by seasoned Market veterans and 2026 Style Spotters Juliana Ewer and Kathy Kuo, each curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon. Meet at The Point at 9:15 am ahead of a 9:30 am departure.
Speakers: Juliana Ewer, Kathy Kuo
Clarity Over Chaos: Using AI to Strengthen Visibility, Communication & Design Decisions
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Most designers struggle to get discovered online, stay consistent in the endless and sometimes chaotic client communications, and create compelling client presentations. This power-packed panel delivers a three-part strategy that addresses all three challenges. Jennifer Smiga reveals AI-powered SEO strategies that get you found by ideal clients. Mary Beth Chau shares how AI supports consistent communication, leading to clearer deliverables and enabling confident decision-making for your clients. Jenna Gaidusek showcases AI tools that create stunning mood boards and presentations in minutes.
Speakers: Jenna Gaidusek, Jennifer Smiga, Mary Beth Chau
Technology Trends in Home Furnishings
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Get an inside look at real-world strategies and tools used and shared by leading retailers. Explore how AI, automation, marketing innovations, and operational systems can help you streamline processes, improve service, and gain a powerful competitive edge in today’s retail world.
Speakers: David McMahon
Eichholtz New Collection Tour
Eichholtz Location: Eichholtz, 129 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
Immerse yourself in the latest collections from Eichholtz, including The Art of Color and Corey Damen Jenkins for Eichholtz lighting collaboration. Join us at 11 AM or 2 PM Saturday through Monday during High Point Market for an intimate guided tour. Light refreshments will be served.
From Showroom to Support: How AI Assistants Are Transforming Furniture Business
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
In the furniture industry, every customer interaction matters—from the first inquiry to final purchase and beyond. This session explores how AI assistants are taking on dual roles as AI receptionists and AI sales assistants, managing inbound inquiries, qualifying leads, answering product questions, and providing intelligent recommendations that support buying decisions. We’ll explore how these capabilities are being applied across showrooms, digital channels, and phone interactions to improve efficiency, support sales teams, and enhance customer experience at scale.
Speakers: Steven Yang
Hot Spot Tour
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with one of our guided Hot Spots Tours! This curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon. Meet at The Point at 12:45 pm ahead of a 1:00 pm departure.
The Future of Retail: Personalizing the Shopping Experience
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
In this fast-paced session, you will discover how the next wave of AI tools and automation is transforming the furniture industry. You’ll learn real-world strategies for using AI to personalize the shopping experience, boost conversions, and streamline store operations—from smart websites and automated marketing to data-driven service models. You will leave with actionable ways to future-proof your business and turn emerging technology into measurable revenue growth. Perfect for retailers ready to modernize without losing their human touch.
Speakers: Jake Freedman
Stop Guessing. Start Leading. Build Your Design Business To Run Like A Well-Oiled Machine.
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Running a design firm shouldn’t feel like constant guesswork. This leader-level session with Gail Doby, co-founder of Pearl Collective, challenges you to step out of reaction mode and lead with clarity. During the presentation, you’ll participate in a business diagnostic that reveals where your firm is strong, where it’s strained, and what deserves your focus now. Gain knowledge, perspective, and a clear starting point—so you can lead your team forward one smart, intentional step at a time toward the business you actually want.
Speakers: Gail Doby
Brand to Rebrand: Shift your Business from Now to Next
American Leather Location: American Leather, Showplace, Floor 5, 5000 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
Savvy brands don’t chase trends—but they do evolve, strategically and with purpose. From attracting a new audience to navigating growth, new ownership, or upleveling your offerings, rebranding can be a catalyst for transformation. Join leading brand strategist Ericka Saurit and a panel of designers who have successfully reimagined their brand from the inside out. Learn how to align your story, visuals, and messaging to build new relevance, resonance, and remarkable results.
Speakers: Ericka Saurit
Why Visual Merchandising Breaks at Customization—and What Comes Next
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Custom furniture reveals a hard truth: most visualization merchandising approaches don’t work. As fabrics, leathers, and finishes constantly change, visual merchandising collapses under cost, labor, and complexity. While 3D rendering can scale, it introduces subjectivity, heavy data demands, and endless revisions. Photo-based swapping distorts color, and AI imagery can’t deliver accurate, assortment-wide visuals. This session challenges assumptions and defines what independent retailers should demand to visualize customization effectively.
Speakers: Clarence Chui
Ten Things You Need to do for your Business Right Now
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
10 Things Your Interior Design Practice Needs to Do Now is a candid, interactive conversation about the realities design firms are navigating today. Industry veterans Joseph Aldrich (The Cypress Group) and Melissa Mittag (Collyer & Company) will share what they’re seeing across successful practices-what’s gaining traction, what’s falling flat, and where focus matters most-while inviting attendees to bring their questions, challenges, and real-world scenarios into the discussion. Designed as an open exchange, this session emphasizes audience participation, honest insight, and practical takeaways you can put to work immediately.
Speakers: Joseph Aldrich, Melissa Mittag
Authenticating Antiques
Whitehall Antiques Location: Whitehall Antiques, Market Square, Ground, G-54B Shuttle Stop: 29 (Red Line)
Daily explorations of antiques with David Lindquist, internationally recognized authority on furniture and the decorative arts. Each afternoon, join him to explore such topics as spotting furniture restorations, marquetry in the 17th century, how much is too much restoration, Georgian silver, what constitutes a silver standard, and the importance of it. And of course, David invites you to ask questions and explore other topics with him.
Speakers: David Lindquist
Cocktail Party & Happy Hours - Free drinks, Live Music, Heavy Hors d'oeuvres
Bernards Furniture Group Location: Bernards Furniture Group, Atrium on Main, Floor 2, 201 Shuttle Stop: 8 (Green Line)
Come join us for live music, free drinks (including spirits, wine, and beer), and heavy hors d'oeuvres. The event is in the Atrium on the second floor at the top of the stairs. Surrounding showrooms remain open for your relaxed perusal.
Monday, April 27
Science in Design: How Environments Affect Mind and Body
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Science now documents the impact our environments have on our minds and bodies. Studies at Johns Hopkins, the Penn Center for Neurasthenics, and similar institutions prove that the design of spaces, such as retail environments, is never neutral. The presentation will provide retailers with information to create pleasing, reassuring, and calming retail spaces.
Speakers: Mike Peterson
Style Spotters Hot Spot Tours
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with a guided Hot Spots Tour! Crafted by seasoned Market veteran and 2026 Style Spotter Amber Guyton, this curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon.
Speakers: Amber Guyton
Hospitality: The New Service Standard for your Design Business
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
Presented by Certified Unreasonable Hospitality Coach Rick Campos, this workshop will break down the customer journey as it relates to the business of design and uncover opportunities to transform ordinary moments in your process into extraordinary and memorable experiences. You’ll learn how to rank and prioritize every touch point of your design process and develop a new “hospitality forward” approach to client engagement that will change your definition of service and make an unforgettable impression on your clients.
Speakers: Rick Campos
The End of the Static Showroom: AI, Visualization, and the Adaptive Store
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Static showrooms can’t keep up with modern buyers. This seminar introduces the concept of the adaptive showroom—a space that responds to customer behavior, preferences, and intent in real time. From AI-driven visual configuration to personalized walkthroughs and dynamic merchandising, we’ll explore how furniture retailers can turn limited floor space into infinite choice, without increasing inventory or complexity.
Speakers: Harrison Montgomery
Eichholtz New Collection Tour
Eichholtz Location: Eichholtz, 129 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)
Immerse yourself in the latest collections from Eichholtz, including The Art of Color and Corey Damen Jenkins for Eichholtz lighting collaboration. Join us at 11 AM or 2 PM Saturday through Monday during High Point Market for an intimate guided tour. Light refreshments will be served.
Do You Have the Social Hook to Win Customers
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Social media has evolved from simple algorithms to a complex system capable of turning anyone into an overnight sensation with the right post, hook, setup, and story. There's a winning formula to social media success, and it’s not as complicated as it seems. Join us at this seminar as we break down the formula and help transform your store or business into a social media star.
Speakers: Darrell Dahlberg
Hot Spot Tour With Noz Nozawa
High Point Market Authority Location: The Point (on Commerce Ave, one block from the Transportation Terminal) Shuttle Stop: 1 (Green Line)
Discover some of the must-see showrooms at High Point Market with one of our guided Hot Spots Tours! Crafted by seasoned Market Noz Nozawa, this curated tour features two to three showroom stops, providing unique insight into the breadth of product and inspiration found at Market. Perfect for new buyers and Market veterans alike, this immersive experience will ensure you make the most of your time at Market. RSVP coming soon. Meet at The Point at 12:45 pm ahead of a 1:00 pm departure.
Speakers: Noz Nozawa
Removing Friction from the Furniture Buying Experience
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
In an industry built on comfort, the purchase journey should never create anxiety. Yet many shoppers enter the showroom worried about approval, complexity, and uncertainty. To win in 2026, retailers must stop treating payment approval as a back-end step and instead use it as a front-end experience that builds trust and momentum. This session explores how transparency, choice, and seamless processes transform browsing into buying—boosting conversion, confidence, and long-term loyalty.
Speakers: Vicki Turjan
Say This, not That: 5 Messaging Fixes That Attract Better Design Clients
Universal Furniture International, Inc. Location: Universal Furniture International, Inc., 101 S. Hamilton St. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)
You can be an incredibly talented designer and still attract the wrong clients. In this practical session, interior designer and branding expert John McClain breaks down five simple but powerful messaging shifts that immediately change how potential clients see you, trust you, and decide to work with you. Most designers default to industry language that sounds professional but doesn't actually land with homeowners. The result? Vague inquiries, price-shopping conversations, and projects that don't match your level of expertise. This session will help you figure out what to say (and what to stop saying) so your message clearly communicates your value, attracts better-fit clients, and sets expectations before you ever hop on a call.
Speakers: John McClain
Beyond Facebook: What Actually Drives Furniture Sales in 2026
Home Furnishings Association-HFA Location: Home Furnishings Association-HFA, Plaza Suites, Floor 1, 1-527 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)
Boosting posts and running Facebook ads feels productive, but for most furniture retailers, it’s not enough to drive consistent showroom traffic or sales in 2026. This session breaks down the real role social media plays in the marketing funnel, where it falls short, and how top-performing retailers combine social, CTV, and mobile to drive measurable showroom lift. If Facebook is your primary strategy, this will change how you think about it and how you grow.
Speakers: Fredy Wright
Authenticating Antiques
Whitehall Antiques Location: Whitehall Antiques, Market Square, Ground, G-54B Shuttle Stop: 29 (Red Line)
Daily explorations of antiques with David Lindquist, internationally recognized authority on furniture and the decorative arts. Each afternoon, join him to explore such topics as spotting furniture restorations, marquetry in the 17th century, how much is too much restoration, Georgian silver, what constitutes a silver standard, and the importance of it. And of course, David invites you to ask questions and explore other topics with him.
Speakers: David Lindquist
Tuesday, April 28
Authenticating Antiques
Whitehall Antiques Location: Whitehall Antiques, Market Square, Ground, G-54B Shuttle Stop: 29 (Red Line)
Daily explorations of antiques with David Lindquist, internationally recognized authority on furniture and the decorative arts. Each afternoon, join him to explore such topics as spotting furniture restorations, marquetry in the 17th century, how much is too much restoration, Georgian silver, what constitutes a silver standard, and the importance of it. And of course, David invites you to ask questions and explore other topics with him.
Speakers: David Lindquist